Located in the center of Honshu, Gifu prefecture has the distinction of being the place that changed modern Japanese history forever - the Battle of Sekigahara took place in 1600 in the Gifu town of the same name.

Tokugawa Ieyasu emerged victorious, he and his successors ruled Japan for the next 268 years virtually unchallenged, Japan closed its doors to foreign trade, and Edo (present day Tokyo) became the major city of the country. Sekigahara aside, Gifu still has more than plenty to offer.

Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage Site, is beautiful all year round but especially breathtaking in the winter, while Gero Onsen is also a popular destination. Can’t make it to Kyoto? Try visiting Takayama, affectionately nicknamed “Little Kyoto.” Kuri-kinton, a chestnut sweet, is the local delicacy, but if you have room to splurge definitely have some Hida beef!

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In the northwest corner Gifu nestled in the Ryohaku Mountains shadow of Mount Haku, one of Japan's sacred mountains, is Shirakawa village. Shirakawa villages hosts the site of Shirakawa-go, a small traditional village showcasing rice-stalk style roofed buildings called gassho-zukuri. Together w..

Takayama is the largest city in the northern region of Hida. Though its population is only 92,000, the area is 2,177.67 km2 which is only 10 km2 smaller than Tokyo but with a fraction of the population. It may not have the night life of Tokyo or even that of southern Gifu but what it does have is a ..

Slipping into a hot spring is a common practice in Japan. Gero City, located two hours north of Gifu City, one hour east of Nakatsugawa and one hour south of Takayama, is famous for its onsens (hot springs). Gero city sits on either side of the Hida River on the border between the northern Hida and ..

Dining

Japanese

Takayama in central Japan’s Gifu Prefecture is a beautiful destination for several reasons - a well-preserved Edo Period old town, its spring and autumn festivals (considered to rank among Japan’s three most famous), and wonderful people ..

Japanese

Takayama is a beautiful city in central Japan’s Gifu Prefecture. Known for its well-preserved and picturesque old town, Takayama features narrow streets lined with historical shops and warehouses, a testament to the city’s history as a we..

Cafe

I know I have only been in Japan for one week, but I think I have already enjoyed the finest coffee available in the country. And, at only ¥300 for a latte, I suspect it was probably the cheapest one of such quality I am likely to find for the ne..

Places to stay

Gero Onsen is considered one of the three most famous onsen in Japan and is the perfect place to relax and unwind for a day or two. Gero is located in a peaceful resort area between Nagoya and Takayama. Being an onsen town most accommodation options ..

Ryokan

The Wide View Hida cuts through a deep green cleft as it enters and travels through Gifu Prefecture, rolling along a high handsome train trestle erected over a cool rushing river lined with great slabs of striated stone. The water foams blue and whit..

Bed & Breakfast

Nestled in the heart of Gifu Prefecture's Hida Mountain Range is the Kazeya Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. The area, known as the Japan Alps, truly takes on an alpine atmosphere with the white birch, cedar, and pine trees dotting the idyllic..

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Planning

Much as we all love to travel, lugging around your luggage often takes away some of the glamour of the overall experience – something likely every traveller can relate to. Think of all the additional places you could go—and better enjoy&m..

Culture

Use the word “samurai” anywhere in the world, and people will immediately acknowledge Japan’s ancient warriors: men of great bravery, loyalty and determination, with excellent weapons and skills to match. Samurai are instantly recog..

Featured

There are many tourist destinations in Hida region of Gifu such as the Gero hot springs, “Little Kyoto” in Hida-Takayama, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawago village. Compared to these tourist magnets, at first glance, it ma..

Located in the center of Honshu, Gifu prefecture has the distinction of being the place that changed modern Japanese history forever - the Battle of Sekigahara took place in 1600 in the Gifu town of the same name.

Tokugawa Ieyasu emerged victorious, he and his successors ruled Japan for the next 268 years virtually unchallenged, Japan closed its doors to foreign trade, and Edo (present day Tokyo) became the major city of the country. Sekigahara aside, Gifu still has more than plenty to offer.

Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage Site, is beautiful all year round but especially breathtaking in the winter, while Gero Onsen is also a popular destination. Can’t make it to Kyoto? Try visiting Takayama, affectionately nicknamed “Little Kyoto.” Kuri-kinton, a chestnut sweet, is the local delicacy, but if you have room to splurge definitely have some Hida beef!